Federal police said five climate activists from the group Last Generation sat on the runway of Leipzig/Halle Airport at midnight, while two other activists were prevented from doing the same, according to the German news agency dpa. The activists were taken away at around 5 a.m.
Climate activists sit on the runway at Leipzig-Halle Airport in Schkeuditz, Germany, on August 1. Photo: dpa
The Last Generation group's protest followed last week's demonstrations at Cologne-Bonn Airport and then at Frankfurt Airport, Germany's busiest airport, which significantly disrupted passenger flights.
Leipzig/Halle Airport is a major air transport hub. Airport spokesperson Uwe Schuhart said air transport operations would be suspended for approximately three hours starting at 12:30 a.m.
The protests did not appear to significantly affect passenger flights, which do not take off or land at night. The airport's website showed the first plane departing at 5:41 a.m., about 15 minutes late.
Police said the activists cut a hole in the fence surrounding the area, and they were subsequently arrested.
Last Generation is urging the German government to negotiate and sign an agreement to phase out the global use of oil, gas, and coal by 2030.
Last month, the German cabinet approved legislation imposing harsher penalties on those who trespass into airport areas.
This bill, which still needs legislative approval, envisages penalties of up to two years in prison for those who intentionally trespass into airport airspace, such as taxiways or runways, endangering civil aviation. Currently, such trespasses are only punishable by fines.
Ngoc Anh (according to AP, dpa)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/bieu-tinh-lam-gian-doan-cac-chuyen-bay-o-duc-post305858.html
